It’s upon us! Summer! Some part of me is still like the school-aged child who longs for the long, lazy days of summer with great excitement. (Although I’m barely holding my head above water this week as the two summer sub terms at college are ove

rlapped for the next two weeks! No rest for the passionate and called!)

Our group, small and humble as it is, IS still meeting however, on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month. The doors open at 6:45pm, and we wrap up at 8:30pm. There is no cost, however, donations are accepted and used to continue the reach to children in hoarded homes, creating programs for those affected by hoarding, and creating an official group literature.

Here is our meeting schedule through December!

TUESDAY, July 10th and July 24th

TUESDAY, August 14th and August 28th

TUESDAY, September 11th and September 25th

TUESDAY, October 9th and 23rd

(**NOTE: October has FIVE Tuesdays, so there is a three week gap between the last meeting of October and the first one in November!**)

TUESDAY, November 13th and November 27th

TUESDAY, December 11th

THERE WILL BE NO MEETING ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 25TH. GROUP MEETINGS WILL RESUME IN JANUARY ON THE SAME SCHEDULE.

If you have considered joining us and haven’t yet, here’s a brief description of what we’ve been sharing!

Normal is only a setting on the dryer. The word “normal” carries with it heavy connotations and sets us up for failure immediately. Especially when I’ve come from a family and background that seems so contrary to societal “norms”, I have a hard time striving to be this elusive descriptor. Instead, we seek to have “healthy and beneficial” experiences, relationships, and goals. Additionally, we recognize that at times, what is healthy and beneficial for ourselves (for me), may not be the same as for you. I have every right to share my concern and/or refusal when you ask me to compromise to a way that is unhealthy and is NOT beneficial. I am worthy of that much respect and dignity (and much, much more!)!

If you’re like me, admitting that your childhood home was one of chaos and overflowing with “stuff” is probably nearly impossible. You certainly wouldn’t want to post it on Twitter or Facebook, and let someone photograph your parent’s hoard? NEVER! It’s mortifying, not to mention that feeling of guilt that somehow…you must be at fault for your parent’s inability to get it together and take care of your home. Perhaps your parent blamed you outwardly, “If you would all just help out more…” which was undoubtedly met with anger if you attempted to move or remove a single item.

Perhaps the blame was placed on you indirectly, “I’m just so tired after working and running all you kids around…” which is followed by the energy to tinker with whatever pile might hold the treasure they sought all while you stood quietly wanting to change something and not knowing how or where to begin.

Or, perhaps the blame came from external sources who had no idea what was going on inside your “happy home”. Comments people made about the crazy bag lady, or the crazy cat lady…and you were so deeply embarrassed because they were describing your parent. Or maybe, like for me, everyone else thought your parent was the coolest person ever. They never saw the disaster you called home or the unfiltered anger and abuse, even neglect, heaped upon you when you weren’t home. They had no idea of your secret.

The first step to overcoming a rotten childhood among rotting food, piles of books and newspapers, bags full of unused craft supplies, amidst uncleaned litter boxes and food bowls, is very tough. It required me to admit that my childhood was horrible. It caused me to reveal the great lie I’d been living for so long. It me ant that I had to admit that the “badness” in my head, the traumas were real. It hurt a lot. Sometimes, even now, I can recall that pain.

Would I do it again? Yes. I would. In hindsight, I would have chosen to do it sooner if I’d had the ability.

Why? Because admitting the past was what it really was gave me freedom. Freedom to be hurt, be angry, be needy, be in control of my future. It’s a tough step, but so important.

If you are reading this, and you’ve been lurking in the corners…thinking about taking the next step and coming to a meeting, I encourage you to do it. We know how hard it is, and we get better together. You’re not alone. You don’t have to be, at least. Join us! Our next meeting is tomorrow night at 7pm.

Tomorrow night at 7pm we will be meeting again. The address is 5025 N. Market, at the SW corner of Market and Queen. Tomorrow’s a great time to join us for the first time. We know and appreciate how hard it can be to make the step, but only YOU can do it!

Although many people will be spending the evening with their significant others, we will still plan to meet at 7pm. The group meets in the storefront of Sheltering Tree Church, located at 5025 N. Market in Hillyard (SW corner of Market and Queen).

Although the group is intended primarily for adult-children of hoarders, spouses and significant others of hoarders are also welcome. FREE.

For more information, please call (509) 434-8874 or email the group leadership at achspokane@gmail.com.

Adult Children of Hoarders continues to meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month. Group meetings begin at 7pm, and are held at Sheltering Tree Church, located at 5025 N. Market in Hillyard. The church has kindly offered the use of their space to us and we greatly appreciate it.

The group focuses on sharing our commonalities–pain, control issues, and any other things–that shape us from growing up in a hoarded home. With the 12 step model as a guide, we meet to reclaim ourselves and become the “real me” that we may have buried while trying to survive.

This is a new year, and we can choose to become the new, real “me”. Join us.

Our next meeting is tomorrow, Tuesday, January 24th. We will also meet:

Tuesday, February 14thTuesday, February 28thTuesday, March 13thTuesday, March 27th